Variable valve-operating means for fluid meters



1,637,850 Aug. 2, 1927- c. J. BASSLER VARIABLE VALVE OPERATING MEANS FOR FLUID METERS Filed July 29. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet .l

A3 ME gnoe'nroz 1,637,850 1927' c. J. BAssLER VARIABLE VALVE OPERATING MEANS FOR FLUID METERS Filed July 29. 1922 2 Sheets-SheetZ Carlos JBasaZa' az MYKWI Patented Aug. 2, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARLOS JAMES BASSLER, OF PORTLAND, OREGON, ASSIGNOR T AMERICAN LIQUID METER COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, OREGON, A CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON.

' VARIABLE VALVE-OPERATING MEANS FOR FLUID METERS.

Application filed July 29,

My invention relates to fluid meters of the positive acting type such as employ a piston movable under fluid pressure within a cylinder to actuate control valves at each end of its stroke, and particularly such meters as are shown in my Patent No. 1,505,306.

The object of my present invention is to provide means whereby fluids of different viscosities and of different densities may be metered accurately in a single meter.

A further object is to provide means in such a meter for adjusting valve-operating means to compensate for differences in inherent resistances of the fluids to be metered. A further object is to provide convenient means whereby the valve-operating means may be adjusted, or whereby these means and the valve itself may be withdrawn from the meter for inspection, replacement or reair.

p A further object is the provision of a power storage mechanism for valves of such meters which is simple, compact, and cheap to manufacture.

Other objects may be ascertained from a study of the following specification and claims, and of the drawings attached hereto.

My invention comprises those novel parts and combinations thereof which are shown in the accompanying drawings, described in the specification, and particularly defined by the claims terminating the same.

In the drawings I have shown my invention in the form which is now preferred by me.

Figure l is an axial sectional view through one end of'a meter, illustrating my present invention.

Figure 2 is a detail axial section throu h a valve With my invention in place therein.

Figure 3' is an axial section through one end of a slightly modified construction of meter.

The meter itself may be of any suitable type which is positively acting. I have shown the meter as comprising a cylinder 10 within which a piston 1 is reciprocable to operate a pair of reciprocable valves 2 at each end of the cylinder, these valves com prising an inlet and outlet valve at each end, this being generally designated as a displacement type meter. In Fig. 1 the valves 2 are shown as connected by a valve 1922. Serial No. 578,471.

yoke 20 between which and the piston 1 is interposed a spring 12 forming part of a power storage mechanism. A trip 30, formmg part of the power storage mechanism, and which is engageable by an inclined boss 00 11 of the piston, is connected to release a holding dog formed as, a shoulder 22 which engages the yoke 20 to maintain the valves in set position until the trip 30 has ridden up the inclined boss 11, when the dog 22 is released to permit actuation of the valves 2 under the influence of the spring 12, the latter being naturally of constant strength Such mechanism and its operation has been explained in detail in my patent referred to 7 above, and I do not deem it necessary therefore to describe it in more detail here.

It will be evident that for accurate metering in such a device the resistance of the fluid being metered to operation of the 7 valves must remain constant, for the strength of the valve-operating spring 12 remains constant. I have discovered that this resistance is due to two factors, the minoreone being the viscosity of the fluid, but the major factor being the density thereof. Oils of slight density will offer less resistance to operation of the valves than heavy oils, not because they are less viscous, but because they are less dense. 05 This may not be so readily apparent when comparing oils, for their density and their viscosity generally increase in a proximately the same ratio, but I have ound from actual experience that water, which is denser than oil, but less viscous than certain heavier oils, will nevertheless create greater resistance to movement of the valves than such oils. Of course, with oils such as those of high asphalt content, the viscosity factor may become so high as to overshadow the usually major density factor, but even in such cases it should be noted that the density of such oils is closely comparable to that of water, and this increased density factor has a large influence on the increased resistance to closing of the valves which is noticed when metering such oils.

In any event, actual experience has shown that'a meter which will operate satisfactorily on fuel oils of a density of say from 19 to 35 B'aum, will not measure accurately cold water, whereas if the spring tension on the valves 'is increased, but not the clearance between the valve audits port (see my application Serial No. 498,859 filed Sept. 6, 1926, for the efi'ect of changing these clearances), the same meter will function accurately on water. With the greater re sistance to actuation of the valves 2 caused .by the greater density of water, the time constant. While it is convenient, in embodying my invention into the meter referred to above, to employ springs which supplement the main spring ordinarily employed, it will be apparent, however, that my present invention is not limited solely to an auxiliary mechanism for storage of energy, but may in fact take the form of the sole power storage mechanism, and be adjusted for fluids of difierent densities. This latter arrangement has been shown in Fig. 3.

That which I term the auxiliary power storage mechanism comprises, in efiect, a spring which is interposed directly between the piston 1 and each of the valves 2, and

which should be adjustable as to its strength at the time of release of the dog 22. This I have shown as consisting of a spring 4 which is preferably positioned within each valve 2. This may be a helical tension spring, one end thereof being secured to the valve or to a valve "support, .and its other end being secured to the inner end of the push rod 5., The push rod projects through an aperture in'the end of the valve to a point, where it may. be adjusted into the path of the piston 1 up to a given limit, or outside of the end of the piston travel, to be inoperative. The v distance through which the push rod 5 is moved by the piston while in contact therewith, before reversal,

determines. the final strength of the spring 4 to assist in \reversal of the valve.

The valve 2 is preferably tubular and is open at its end. Its casing 14 is closed by a cap 13 threading therein. .In the present' embodiment abushing 6 is threaded adjacent one end, as indicated at"61, to screw into a tapped aperture in the yoke 20. Adjacent the threads 61 a cylindrical portion 62 is provided, this being received in a circular opening in the. end of the valve 2, and a hexagonal head 63 holding the valve 2 in place but permitting its rotation about the cylindrical portion 62. Beyond the head 63 threads 64 are provided exteriorlyof the bushing 6. A sleeve or nut 51 is secured upon the inner end 50 of the push rod 5, ,as by threading, and threads 52 are provided thereon similar to the threads 64 upon the bushing 6. \A loclmut 53 is preferably pushed inward by the piston 1, the tension I therein is communicated to the valve 2.

Upon removing the valve cap 13 the nut 51 may be adjusted on the'push rod 5 to vary the tension in the spring 4. The end ofthe push rod 5 is provided with a slot 54 i for the reception of a screw driver to assist in such ad ustment. If for any reason it is desired to remove either this auxiliary power 7 storage mechanism or the entire valve, this may be done by inserting a wrench to engage with the head 63, whereupon the bush- 'ing 6 may be unscrewed from the yoke 20 and the entire valve assembly maybe removed.

I By means'of such apparatus any adjustment between given minimum and maximum limits may be achieved in the meter. The spring 12 may be set for the least dense fluid it would be desired to meter, and dependence may be placed upon adjustment of the springs 4 to accommodate the meter to denser fluids.

As mentioned above, and as shown in Fig. 3, the spring 12 may be dispensed with and entire reliance placed upon. the springs 4, though this is not my preferred construction. By such a construction, however, any adjustment between zero and the maximum strength of the springs 4 may be'achieved.

What I claim as myinvention is:

1. In combination with a meter of the positively acting type including a movable meter member, a plurality of control valves laterally spaced at each end of the meter, and a trip engageable by said meter member tocontrol the time of actuation of said valves, of a spring interposed between each valve and the meter member, and energizable by the meter member as it moves and prior to release of said tri to store up energy to cause movement oi the valves.

2. In combination with .a meter of the pos itively acting t pe including a movable meter member, a p urality of control valves laterally spaced at each end of the meter, and

lease of said trip, to assist actuating said valves.

3. The combination, in a meter including a piston movable within a cylinder, control valves, a holding dog for said valves which energizable by movement of the piston towards the end of its stroke, of means for assisting the power storage mechanism in operating said valves comprising an auxiliary power storage mechanism interposed between the piston and valves, and energizable by the pistons movement towards the end of its stroke.

4. The combination, in a meter includin a piston movable within a c linder, contro valves, a holding dog for said valves which is releasable by the advance of said piston towards the end of its stroke, and power stora e valve-operating mechanism interposed between the piston and valves, and energizable by movement of the piston towards the end of its stroke, of means for assisting the power storage mechanism in operating said valves comprising an auxiliary power storage mechanlsm interposed be-- tween the piston and valves, and energizable by the pistons movement towards the end of its stroke, and means for adjusting said auxiliary power storage means between zero and maximum effectiveness.

5. In combination, in a fluid meter, a cylinder, a piston movable therein, control valves, a dog for maintaining said valves in set position releasable upon engagement by said piston as it approaches the end of its stroke to release the valves for actuation thereof, power storage mechanism energizableby the movement of the piston prior to release of said dog, to effect actuation of the valves, and means for regulating the speed of action of said power storage mechanism.

6. In combination, in a meter, 9. cylinder, a piston movable therein, control valves, a dog for maintaining said valves in set position and releasable upon engagement by the piston as it approaches the end of its stroke to release the valves for actuation thereof, power stor age mechanism energizable by movement of the piston to effect actuation of the valves u on release of said dog, a push rod exten ing from. and reciprocable in each valve towards the 'iston, a spring connecting each valve with its push rod, and adapted to store up energy when the push rod is moved 'by enga ement with the moving piston to assist sai power storage mechanism inactuating the valves.

7. In combination, in a meter, a cylinder, a piston movable therein, control valves, a dog for maintaining said valves in set position and releasable upon engagement by the piston as it approaches the end of its stroke to release the valves for actuation thereof, power storage mechanism energizable by movement of the piston to effect actuation of the valves upon release of said dog, a push rod extendingfrom and reciprocable in each valve towards the piston, a spring connecting each valve with its push rod, and adapted to store up energy when the push 'rod is moved by engagement with the moving piston to assist said power storage mechanism in actuating the valves, and means for adjusting said push rod to vary the point in the pistons travel at which it contacts with the push rod.

8. A device as in claim 3, the auxiliary power storage mechanism comprising a push rod extending from each valve towards the piston, and extendible into the path of movement thereof, a spring connecting each push rod with its valve, and means for varying the position of the end of said push rod, between a position of no contact with the piston to a position of contact therewith at a maximum time prior to release of the valveholding dog. 7

9. In combination with the valve of a fluid meter, power storage mechanism therefor comprising a push rod, a support therefor movable with the valve, a spring con nected between the support and said push rod, amember secured upon the push rod and adjustable thereon lengthwise of the spring, said member having means for engaging and holding said spring.

10. In combination with the valve of a fluid meter, power storage mechanism therefor comprising a threaded push rod, a support therefor movable With the valve, said push rod projecting from its support, and the support being threaded, a nut threaded and adjustable upon said push rod, and externally threaded, and a helical tension spring threaded at one end upon the threads of said support, and at its other end upon v the external threads of said nut.

11. In combination with an apertured valve casing, a tubular valve having an aperture extending lengthwise thereof, andv a valvesupporting yoke, a bushing received in the aperture of said valve and secured in the yoke, "a power storage mechanism supported from said bushing within the valve, and a valve cap removably secured in the aperture in said valve casing and covering the open end of said valve.

12. In combination with the valve of a fluid meter, said valve havingan aperture extending lengthwise thereof, and a valve supporting yoke, a bushing received in the aperture of said valve and secured in the yoke, a ush rod passing through said bushing, an a spring secured at one end to the bushing and at its other end to the push rod to maintain it projected from the bush- 1n I3. In combination with the valve of a fluid meter, said valve having an aperture nally threaded, and a helical tension spring "threaded upon the external threads of the bushing and sleeve to connect said members and to maintain the other end of the push rod projected beyond the yoke.

14. In combination, in a fluid meter, 9. cylinder, a piston movable therein, control valves, a primary power storage 'means for actuating said valves, said means being substantially of constant strength, and an auxiliary power storage means operable to assist said primary power storage means, said" auxiliary storage means including means adjustable to maintain the speed of actuation of the valves constant.

15. In a fluid meter, in combination with a cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein, means movable to control the point of reversal of the pistonsmovement, power storage means energizable by movement of the piston prior to reversal and operable to move said control means, and means for con trolling the speed of action of said power storage mechanism under the influence of varyin resistances.

16. n a fluid meter, in combination with a cylinder and a piston reciprocable therein, means movable to control the point of reversal of the pistons movement, power storage mechanism including a spring and a rod connected thereto interposed between said control means and the piston, the rod being engageable by the piston as it advances towards the point of reversal, and the spring being energized by further advance of the piston to efi'ect movement of said control means. v

17. A meter comprising, in combination, a cylinder, :1 piston reciprocable therein, automatic means, including power storage mechanism, within the cylinder and controlled by movement of the piston to direct fluid to and from each end of the cylinder to reciprocate the piston, and to limit movement of the piston, and means independent of the piston- I limiting means and adjustable to control the amount of force stored up by said power 'ctorage mechanism.

Signed at Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, this 20th day of Jul 1922.

* CARLOS JAME BASSLER. 

